March 10 and 11Welcome the Rev. Dr. Mary Brennan Thorpe, Director of Transition Ministries for the Diocese of Virginia. Mary comes to us on this weekend before our new Rector, the Rev. Jon Strand arrives.

Contribute to the Easter Altar Flowers

The brilliant array of lilies on the altar is one of the visual joys of Easter at Holy Comforter. Please help the Altar Guild to create a vibrant display by contributing to the Easter flower fund. We should receive all contributions by Noon on Monday, March 26 in order to include every dedication in the Easter Bulletin. Download a Easter Altar Flower Form
HERE.

Sign up for Garden of Gethsemane Vigil

Each year, St. Mary's Altar Guild creates an indoor garden in St. Mary's Chapel as a gift to the Parish. Following the Maundy Thursday evening liturgy, a Prayer Vigil begins in our candle-lit Chapel, keeping watch throughout the night until noon. There is a poster in the narthex where you can sign up for a time of prayer in the Chapel, or feel free to come as the Spirit moves you. The front doors will remain unlocked with lights on in the narthex, and there are prayer books, hymnals, and plain paper available. Keeping watch in our "Garden of Gethsemane" can be a wonder-filled and grace-filled blessing.

Senior Saints BYO Lunch

This Friday, March 9 at 11:45 a.m. Jim Heins will be with us to speak about the history of the C&O Canal. The canal has something different to see at each site along the 184.5 mile towpath. We'll learn about the history of the canal, its construction and operation, as well as the prehistoric archaeological excavations. If you would like to bring a dessert to share, please contact
Barbara Fitzsimmons. Bring your own lunch. Dessert and beverage will be provided.

Join in a Sacred Circle Dance

This Saturday, March 10

Led by Celestine Jones

Refreshments at 9:30 a.m.Program at 10 a.m.Family and friends are invited.Childcare provided. Come to learn more about this special form of spiritual practice in a program sponsored by the Episcopal Church Women (ECW). No dance experience is needed -- the steps are simple, repetitive, and easy to learn. It is not about getting the steps right but about enjoying the spirit of the dances and the sense of oneness and peace that results from moving rhythmically in a supportive environment. The program will be led by parishioner Celestine Jones, an avid Sacred Circle Dancer for 3 years. Questions? Contact
Jane Schmiedekamp.

Help send a smile!

Help pack Holy Comfort Boxes!

This Saturday, March 10

3-5 p.m. in McGill HallCome help pack the Holy Comfort Boxes for our college students, military members, and other young adults to let them know they are in our thoughts and prayers. Everything will be provided -- we just need helping hands! Perfect for service hours! Come to pack and stay for worship at 5 p.m. Questions? Contact
Joni Langevoort.

Sunday, March 18!All-Parish Reception to Celebrate Children's Study of the Holy Eucharist and Welcome the Rev. Jon C. Strand, Rector

Save the date and come for a special Recognition Ceremony at the 11 a.m. service to honor the children who participated in the 8-week Study of the Holy Eucharist program. Then stay for lunch and cake to celebrate the children and welcome our new Rector, the Rev. Jon Strand. Watch the church website and this space for more details and a signup link to volunteer! Questions? Please contact
Christa Hyland.

Lenten Adult Forum:

Ephesians 2:1-10

This Sunday, March 11

10:10 a.m. in McGill Hall

Led by Lillian O'Connell

The great privilege of being human was never meant to be reduced to a state of manipulated control by forces outside our control. God's vehicle to bring about the transformation is the work of Christ. We are already saved. The work is accomplished. We participate in the resurrection now, and are invited to witness to the gift of grace that we have received. The agent of this dramatic change is God.

Wednesdays, Through March 2112:10 p.m. in the Chapel Please join us during the season of Lent for a midweek Eucharist. The service will be brief to allow time for those returning to work.

Lenten Brownbag Lunch

& Book Discussion

Wednesdays, Through March 2112:45-1:45 p.m. in McGill HallWe are reading C.S. Lewis's
The Four Loves which contemplates the essence of love and how it works in our daily lives. Lewis examines four varieties of human love: Affection, Friendship, Eros, and Charity. Join us for worship in the Chapel beforehand or just come for the discussion. Questions? Contact
the Rev. Valerie Hayes.

MUSIC

Save the Date!

Barclay Brass Concert

Sunday, May 6 at 4 p.m.Save the date for this free concert to be held at Holy Comforter. The Barclay Brass is comprised of some of Washington DC's top brass musicians, and performs a wide variety of music. The ensemble enjoys creating diverse programs for audiences of all ages.

ADULT CHRISTIAN FORMATION

Annual Women's Retreat

April 20-22 Attention women of the parish! The Annual Women's Retreat will be held at Shrine Mont the weekend of April 20-22. The Rev. Sarah Anders from the Center for Spirituality in Nature will be the guest speaker. Watch for more details coming soon.

The Rev. Jon Strand and parishioner Dan Harris

Annual Men's Retreat

April 27-29 Attention men of the parish! The Annual Women's Retreat will be held at Shrine Mont the weekend of April 27-29. Our new Rector, the Rev. Jon Strand will join us for part of the weekend, so make plans to join us and get to know him. Also, Holy Comforter parishioner Dan Harris, will lead a discussion around "The Fatherhood of God." Registration forms are available for download
HERE. Questions? Please contact
Randy McGuire.

CHILDREN & YOUTH

Youth Group News

On Sunday, March 4, the 7th and 8th Grade class continued the tradition that has occurred for every class in the last 11 years.
Learn more.

Register for Hogwarts VBS

June 25-29 for students ages 5-11 This year's term will be based upon the Harry Potter
Deathly Hallows book. Teenagers ages 12-18 are invited to register as Prefects. Registration forms are available for download below and in the Church Office. Morning session is 9:00 a.m. to noon. Afternoon Session is 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Questions? Please contact
Linda Lee Malone.

Tuesday, March 139:30-11:30 a.m. in the Lillian Croy Room Please join us for fellowship and coffee as we discuss how to raise financially fit kids. Children often enter adulthood knowing very little about personal finance, and as a result they find themselves in debt at a young age. We will share strategies to teach our own children about these topics as they grow from toddlers to young adults. Childcare will be available across the hall in the childcare center. Please RSVP to
Amy Britton.

Men and Women!

Volunteer at Pennywise!

Make lifelong friends doing work for your church and your community. Pennywise Thrift Shop has shifts that need you and you'll be working with dedicated and fun-loving people who would love to get to know you. Tuesday through Saturday, the front desk needs two volunteers for the shop to be open (see openings below) but back room shifts for sorting, pricing, and display are very flexible and fun too. Most back room volunteers work between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m .and come and go as needed! Contact
Jim Menke.